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Blue Cross Introduces “Bear Attack Additional Coverage” to Safeguard Travellers Offers HK$50 Coupon for SmartClub Members

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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 November 2025 – In response to frequent wild bear sightings in Japan and other popular tourist spots, which have brought new risks and unease for travellers, Blue Cross (Asia-Pacific) Insurance Limited (“Blue Cross”) has announced the launch of a limited-time “Bear Attack Additional Coverage“¹ to provide customers with more extensive travel protection. Additionally, Blue Cross is rewarding SmartClub members with an exclusive offer – a HK$50 electronic premium coupon² – to welcome the travel season.

Blue Cross introduces “Bear Attack Additional Coverage” to safeguard travellers

In recent years, climate change and habitat shifts have led to a notable rise in wild bear encounters, with their activity range no longer confined to remote mountains. High-risk areas include popular tourist destinations such as Hokkaido, Tohoku (e.g. Akita, Iwate, Fukushima), Nagano, and Shirakawa-go in Japan, raising safety concerns for travellers. Anticipating customers’ protection needs, Blue Cross is introducing the limited-time “Bear Attack Additional Coverage” across its range of travel insurance products. From now until 31 March 2026, if the insured is attacked by a bear during their trip and requires overseas medical treatment, they will be eligible for an extra HK$3,000 cash allowance upon claim. This coverage applies to any bear-prone travel destinations worldwide and is not limited to Japan.

“Bear Encounter” Self-Rescue Guide to Minimise Injury Risks
Beyond financial protection, Blue Cross also reminds travellers to prioritise safety. In case of a bear encounter during a trip, one should stop immediately, do not run, and retreat slowly. If attacked, adopt a protective posture: use your backpack to shield your back, lie on your stomach to protect your abdomen, and cover your neck and head with your hands. If encountering a bear while driving, stay inside the car with windows closed, refrain from honking to avoid provoking the bear, and wait for it to leave before driving away slowly.

SmartClub Members Enjoy HK$50 Travel Smart ePremium Coupon
To celebrate the travel season, Blue Cross is offering SmartClub members an exclusive surprise. Both existing and newly registered members3 can receive a HK$50 ePremium Coupon, applicable to Travel Smart Single Trip, Multi-Trip, and Annual Cover. The coupon can also be combined with other travel insurance promo codes, allowing members to enjoy even greater savings.

For details about the “Bear Attack Additional Coverage” and the full terms and conditions of the above insurance products, visit the Blue Cross website at www.bluecross.com.hk or download the Blue Cross HK App.

Notes:

  1. The “Bear Attack Additional Coverage” is a limited-time coverage applicable to Single Trip and Annual Travel Plans under the following products: Travel Smart, TravelElite, Travel Protection Insurance, Frequent Traveller Insurance and TravelSafe Plus.
  2. This offer applies to individuals who successfully register as a SmartClub member on or before 31 March 2026. The HK$50 ePremium Coupon is applicable to Travel Smart Single-trip, Multi-trip, and Annual Cover.
  3. Existing members refer to SmartClub members registered on or before 26 November 2025. The ePremium Coupon will be delivered to existing members on 28 November 2025 via Exclusive Reward section on the member portal. New members who successfully register for SmartClub between 27 November 2025 and 31 March 2026 will also receive ePremium Coupon which will be distributed via the Exclusive Reward section on the member portal the day after successful registration. For details about SmartClub HK$50 ePremium Coupon promotion, please visit the Blue Cross website at www.bluecross.com.hk or Blue Cross HK App starting 28 November 2025.

Disclaimers:

  • This press release is for distribution in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region only. The distribution of this press release is not and shall not be construed as an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy or a provision of any insurance product outside Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
  • Blue Cross (Asia-Pacific) Insurance Limited is a subsidiary of AIA Group Limited. It is not affiliated with or related in any way to Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association or any of its affiliates or licensees.

Hashtag: #BlueCross #BlueCrossAsiaPacific #TravelInsurance #Insurance #TravelSafety #BearAttackCoverage #SmartClub #TravelSeason #CustomerBenefits #InsuranceUpdates

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Blue Cross (Asia-Pacific) Insurance Limited

Blue Cross (Asia-Pacific) Insurance Limited (“Blue Cross”) is a subsidiary of AIA Group Limited. With over 50 years of operational experience in the insurance industry, Blue Cross provides a comprehensive range of products and services including medical, travel and general insurance, which cater to the needs of both individual and corporate customers. Blue Cross distributes its products through various channels, including AIA agency force, online platform, direct sales, BEA network, insurance agents and brokers, as well as travel agencies.

In 2024, Blue Cross is assigned financial strength rating of A+ (stable outlook) and issuer credit rating of A+ (stable outlook) by S&P Global Ratings.

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Siam Piwat redefines global retail with NEXTOPIA, a future prototype where sustainability is a transformative force for business, people, and the planet

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BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 May 2026 – In a bold bid to reshape the future of retail, Siam Piwat Group has unveiled NEXTOPIA at its flagship Siam Paragon, the world’s first prototype for a global sustainability platform that turns eco-conscious living into an immersive, everyday experience.

Chief Executive Officer Chadatip Chutrakul introduced the project during The Economist’s 5th annual Sustainability Week Asia, recently held in Bangkok, positioning NEXTOPIA as more than a response to necessity but as a genuine driver of business leadership and vision.

The vision for the future of retail is built on three interconnected pillars: co-creation with founders and partners, collaboration with tenants and communities, and customers. Together, they redefine retail as a platform shaped by shared purpose, creativity, and participation. This extends to redefining customer relationships through trust, inspiring customers to visit more often, spend more time, and deepen engagement within our ecosystem.

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“Sustainability is no longer optional,” Chutrakul said. “We must accelerate and make a bold move. Real, lasting impact is never created alone. It requires co-creation across industries, united by purpose, in a place that captures the world’s attention and inspires change for the greater good.”

Launched in November 2025, the 15,000-square-meter attraction at Siam Paragon, a global landmark that draws more than 200,000 visitors daily, including a significant share of international tourists aims to move sustainability “beyond awareness into joyful and engaging experiences in everyday life,” she added.

Developed with more than 50 partners, NEXTOPIA operates under the theme “Co-creating Communities for a Better World.” It features infrastructure contributions from companies including B.Grimm, SCG, Indorama and Kasikornbank, incorporating solar energy, sustainable materials, advanced water systems, and cooling and clean air technologies.

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The project has achieved zero waste to landfill, cut energy consumption by 47%, reduced water use by 34% and lowered carbon emissions from construction materials by 59%. Within a year, water savings are projected to be equivalent to the volume of an Olympic-sized swimming pool. Over two years, decarbonization efforts will deliver the environmental benefit of creating a vast urban park.

NEXTOPIA is Thailand’s first multi-tenant retail building to earn EDGE Advanced certification for resource efficiency and a two-star Fitwel rating. It also received the Best in Building Health Award 2026 from Fitwel, achieving top scores for its design and quality-of-life features.

Tenants must adhere to some 50 sustainability criteria covering waste management and value chain practices, with many exceeding standard industry benchmarks. Siam Piwat developed the framework over three years to help partners adopt sustainable practices quickly while cutting costs and unlocking new value.

Interactive elements at NEXTOPIA invite visitors to participate directly, with kinetic floors and bicycles that generate electricity for redeemable rewards, alongside exhibits featuring Thailand’s largest collection of recycled art, created by artists from waste collected nationwide. ECOTOPIA, the country’s biggest eco-store, stocks more than 110,000 sustainable products, many recycled or upcycled, sourced from around 300 Thai communities and small businesses.

The project has also brought together more than 30 local communities and global organizations, including the United Nations, World Food Programme, UNDP Biofin and WWF, to exchange knowledge and ideas.

More than a shopping destination, NEXTOPIA functions as a living laboratory for experimenting and exchanging ideas that retail and real estate developers worldwide could adapt. It marks a strategic evolution for Siam Piwat, transforming the company from a premier retail developer into what it describes as “a global sustainability platform” that links businesses, people and innovation.

This shift aligns with intensifying global pressure on companies to meet their sustainability commitments under the Paris Agreement, as brands and consumers increasingly demand verifiable environmental action.

With NEXTOPIA, Siam Piwat is betting that the future of retail lies not just in selling goods, but in creating spaces where sustainability feels tangible, measurable and above all inspiring.

Setting a new benchmark for co-created, revolutionary retail, NEXTOPIA offers a scalable model that delivers both business value and meaningful impact – one that can be adopted globally.

Hashtag: #SiamParagon #NEXTOPIA #Sustainability #PrototypeCity #NetZero #TheEconomist #SustainabilityWeekAsia

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Siam Piwat

Siam Piwat is a leading retail and real estate developer behind Bangkok’s most iconic destinations, including Siam Paragon, Siam Center, Siam Discovery, ICONSIAM, and Siam Premium Outlets Bangkok, globally recognized for pioneering experiential destinations.

For over six decades, Siam Piwat has been renowned for creating iconic destinations and world-class experiences, continuously redefining Bangkok’s retail landscape through award-winning developments that set new global benchmarks. Guided by creativity, innovation, and sustainability, the company continues to lead with a bold vision s that inspire, engage, and delight customers from around the world, while creating long-term value for society, businesses, and future generations.

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DTAP Expands Access to Sexual Health Services with Two New Clinics in Holland Village and Clarke Quay

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SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 May 2026 – DTAP, Singapore’s pioneering GP+ medical provider established in 2005, announced the opening of two new clinics – DTAP Clinic @ Holland Village, which officially opened on 29 Apr 2025, and DTAP Clinic @ Clarke Quay, which officially opened on 23 May 2025. The expansion strengthens access to general and sexual healthcare services, including STD tests, STD screening and HIV tests, within central lifestyle districts.

As healthcare-seeking behaviours continue to evolve, there has been a noticeable shift towards earlier and more proactive screening, especially for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV. Increasing public awareness of the importance of timely testing and treatment has driven demand for accessible, confidential care delivered in a professional clinical setting. The expansion into Holland Village and Clarke Quay reflects this shift, with both clinics designed to offer a comfortable and private environment that supports individuals in seeking care with confidence.

DTAP operates as a GP+ medical centre, bridging the gap between general practice and specialist care. Fully accredited for HIV and STD testing and treatment, its clinical protocols adhere to Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH) guidelines, covering the full continuum from screening and early detection through to treatment and long-term management. Beyond sexual health, DTAP also supports men’s and women’s health, weight management and mental health.

Clinics are staffed by experienced doctors — both male and female — who take a friendly, open and non-discriminatory approach, ensuring patients can seek care with confidence and discretion.

“This expansion builds on DTAP’s longstanding commitment to accessible and confidential care, with over 20 years of experience since 2005. We are seeing a clear shift towards more proactive health-seeking behaviour, particularly in sexual health, with more patients coming forward earlier for screening and testing, including for conditions that were previously under-discussed. This highlights the importance of timely detection and access to care, supported by a discreet, comfortable environment with experienced doctors who provide care in a respectful, open and non-discriminatory manner,” said Dr. Alan Tan, Chairman of DTAP Clinics.

DTAP Clinic @ Holland Village and DTAP Clinic @ Clarke Quay are now open to patients. For more information on services, visit https://dtapclinic.com/.

Hashtag: #DTAP

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About DTAP

DTAP clinics offer GP+ medical services, bridging the gap between general practice and specialist care. Established in 2005, DTAP provides services that extend beyond regular GP offerings, with key focus areas including men’s health and women’s health, including sexual health, STD check, weight management and mental health. Through all life stages, DTAP aims to be a trusted healthcare partner in both general and sexual health.

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TP’s AI-powered debt collection solution recovers up to 40% debt, improves efficiency and saves costs

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SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 May 2026 – Global digital business services leader TP (ex-Teleperformance) today reported that its award-winning AI-powered collections solution, TP.ai FAB Collect, matched human-level customer satisfaction scores while delivering a 40% debt recovery rate in live client deployments.

Collections are emerging as a critical lever for both financial performance and customer retention. Regional institutions including the Asian Development Bank have identified digital transformation of financial services and credit infrastructure as a strategic priority across Asia, while rising consumer delinquencies are increasing pressure on banks to modernise servicing and collections operations.

However, debt collection remains one of banking’s most complex challenges, as lenders struggle to improve recovery rates without damaging customer relationships. AI-driven, human-supported debt collection models are emerging as a potential way forward to help lenders tackle rising credit risk and changing borrower behaviour. TP.ai FAB Collect is designed by training AI on decades of human collections expertise and deploying it where volume demands scale, so human advisors can focus on preserving customer relationships.

From Recovery to Relationship Management

TP.ai FAB Collect empowers lenders to operationalise more predictive, customer-centric engagement at scale, moving beyond traditional recovery models without adding friction to the customer experience. Built on TP’s proprietary TP.ai FAB (Foundational AI Backbone) framework, the solution integrates advanced analytics, AI-driven decisioning, and omnichannel engagement to improve recovery outcomes while maintaining compliance and customer trust.

“We trained our AI on 40 years of human collections expertise. Now it handles the first wave, so our human advisors can focus on the conversations that truly matter. TP.ai FAB Collect has produced results across debt recovery, promise-to-pay and overall customer satisfaction.” explains Assaf Tarnopolsky, TP’s Chief Business Development & Customer Officer, APAC.

When deployed by a leading financial institution, TP.ai FAB Collect’s AI agents achieved a customer satisfaction (CSAT) score that was slightly higher than human agents while also achieving a 40% debt recovery rate. At a leading telecommunications company, AI agents adapted outreach to customers based on local payment behaviour, achieving a 7%-point improvement in the pay-to-contact ratio compared to the human-only model. The solution also improved recovery performance over time while reducing collections costs by 40% compared to a human-only model.

TP.ai FAB Collect was recognised with a 2026 Artificial Intelligence Excellence Award by the Business Intelligence Group and was named Technology of the Year by the Excellence in Customer Service awards.

Hashtag: #TPAPAC #TPaiFAB


, a global leader in digital business services which consistently seeks to blend the best of advanced technology with human empathy to deliver enhanced customer care that is simpler, faster, and safer for the world’s biggest brands and their customers. The Group’s comprehensive, AI-powered service portfolio ranges from front office customer care to back-office functions, including operations consulting and high-value digital transformation services. It also offers a range of specialized services such as interpreting and localization, visa and consular services, and recruitment process outsourcing services. The teams of multilingual, inspired, and passionate experts and advisors, spread in close to 100 countries, as well as the Group’s local presence allows it to be a force of good in supporting communities, clients, and the environment.

For more information: .

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